by Inman Content Studio | Jun 9, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
According to the National Association of Realtors, the vast majority of home shoppers are searching online. It’s harder than ever to grab a buyer’s attention. They’re not looking at a few homes — they’re scrolling through hundreds. Flyers don’t work, and social media doesn’t target the right people. And other real estate websites? They’re selling your leads to other agents.
Homes.com puts you back in control
We’re the only agent-friendly portal. Your listings. Your leads. Buyers see your name, your photo and connect directly with you. When you boost a listing on Homes.com, it jumps to the top of search results, in front of millions of active buyers. Your listing gets featured next to local schools and neighborhoods — plus it’s powered by retargeting ads, email campaigns and Matterports to stay top-of-mind and bring your listing to life. Boosted listings get more views, favorites and shares — which means more offers and faster sales.
Get to the front of the line
When buyers search on Homes.com, up to 1,000 listings can show up. But most buyers don’t scroll past the first page — they click on the first 40 homes they see. If your listing is stuck on page 10, there’s only a 1 in 1,000 chance it gets clicked.
You need to be on page one — where 90 percent of buyers are looking.
Boosting your listings on Homes.com moves them to the top, above other basic listings, so more buyers see them. The results? Boosted listings get an average of 120,000 views and eight times more buyer inquiries than unboosted ones.*
*All figures based on internal analyses comparing Members to non-Members on Homes.com. Boosted Listings will receive the same levels of marketing exposure.
Stay in front of buyers again and again until they act
If someone views your listing on Homes.com, we retarget them across the web with ads featuring your name, photo and contact information. We even retarget buyers and sellers who visit your profile on Homes.com. You can also upload your own email list — we’ll retarget those contacts too. On average, buyers see boosted listings 32 more times* — moving them closer to contacting you and making an offer.
*All figures based on internal analyses comparing Members to non-Members on Homes.com. Boosted Listings will receive the same levels of marketing exposure.
Let buyers tour your listing anytime, anywhere with a Matterport 3D digital twin
Busy lives mean many buyers will never walk through your home in person. When you boost your home, our professional photographers* will create a Matterport 3D digital twin and floor plan. With Matterport, buyers can explore your home anywhere, anytime — day or night, seven days a week. Buyers can take unlimited virtual tours, revisit favorite rooms and share with family and friends. They can even measure to see how furniture will fit or use our AI to digitally remove furniture.
*Matterport 3D Tour only available in select markets.
Ready to stand out, win more clients and sell faster?
With boosted listings, powerful retargeting, virtual tours and prime placement, you’ll attract more buyers and sellers than ever before. Unlike other platforms, we protect your leads and ensure you maintain full control over your business.
Make Homes.com Boost a winning part of your listing presentation. Let sellers know that if they list with you, their property will get prime placement on Homes.com — one of the most heavily trafficked home-buying sites in the world. Agents who use Homes.com in their listing presentations are winning 60 percent more listings.*
*Based on internal analyses comparing Members to non-Members on Homes.com.
With Homes.com Boost, there is no commitment. One low payment markets the listing until it sells, and you pay only when you have a commission on the way. Or become a Homes.com Member and all your listings will benefit from Homes.com’s billion-dollar investment, massive audience and proven results.
Join Homes.com today and take your real estate career to the next level.
by Inman Content Studio | Aug 19, 2024 | Industry, News Feed
Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
New rules stemming from the National Association of Realtors’ commission lawsuit settlement went into effect Saturday following years of litigation, potentially upending the industry, including how agents get paid.
Inman has covered the topic extensively and last week published a rundown of the rules that now govern NAR members and affiliated multiple listing services. This week, we’re calling agents, brokers, MLS executives, portals and other insiders as the rules rollout. Follow along as we update this story in real time.
MONDAY, AUGUST 19
11:28 a.m. ET: WHAT ARE YOU SEEING? As the lunch bell approaches, Inman wants to know what friction, distractions, slowdowns or complications you’ve encountered today. Let us know with your vote and we’ll report back later today.
10:33 a.m. ET: NO LONGER INTERIM: Nykia Wright, who has served as the interim CEO of the National Association of Realtors since November, will stay on as full-time head of the organization, NAR President Kevin Sears confirmed Monday.
Wright joined the 1.5 million-member organization after leading the Chicago Sun-Times through its tumult and transition into a nonprofit newsroom. Wright was asked last week whether she would stay on as CEO but deflected.
“I bloom where I’ve been planted,” she said, “and I let the universe take care of the rest of the details.” —Taylor Anderson
10:05 a.m. ET:NEW NAR SUIT FILED, DROPPED: A South Carolina real estate brokerage filed a class action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors and seven state Realtor organizations Friday, alleging the group violated federal antitrust laws by compelling membership in order to effectively conduct business. It withdrew the lawsuit the same day.
In its complaint, the Cassina Group initially targeted a “mandatory triple membership” of local, state and national Realtor associations it says is required for real estate professionals to access lockboxes and transact properties. It would have been the second lawsuit targeting NAR and the fees and other rules in place that compel members to pay fees to conduct business.
The suit was filed on Aug. 16 — the day before the NAR settlement deadline — in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois, before being withdrawn. — Taylor Anderson
6:30 a.m. ET: READY, SET, GO: With all the commotion over the changes this weekend, Inman wants to know how you’re coping. Our reporters are working the phones this morning, but give us your first impressions of the week, below, and we’ll update the blog with responses this afternoon. —Jotham Sederstrom
5:45 a.m. ET: WATCHING THE DETECTIVES: Whatever you do, whatever you think you can do under the new rules, the plaintiffs’ attorneys will be watching.
That’s according to Michael Ketchmark of Ketchmark & McCreight, lead plaintiffs’ counsel for Sitzer | Burnett, the only suit among two dozen filed nationwide that has gone to trial. That suit resulted in a massive jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs and against NAR and franchisors Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America.
Inman Deputy Editor Andrea Brambila spoke to Ketchmark ahead of the Aug. 17 deadline and his message was clear: Attorneys will be monitoring the actions of agents, brokers and MLSs this week and they have a variety of levers to pull if they witness anyone violating the rules. READ THE INTERVIEW.
5 a.m. ET: After months of anticipation, it’s Monday, and we’re finally living in our “New Normal,” where buyer’s agent compensation is no longer offered via Realtor-affiliated multiple listing services, and all buyers need to sign some type of agreement before a buyer’s agent takes them to tour a property.
We’ve known for a while that the rule changes of the proposed National Association of Realtors settlement would go into effect on Aug. 17, but with all of the questions, concerns and confusion surrounding the implementation of the new rules, agents and brokers are still looking for clarity.
Inman Editor Christy Murdock has compiled many of the questions you have, along with others we’ve encountered nationwide. The goal is to create a comprehensive resource to help our readers feel more confident and secure as you acclimate to the major changes. Check back as we fill in the resource with more of your unanswered questions. READ THE STORY.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
7:30 a.m. ET: DAWN OF A NEW DAY: Beginning today — Saturday, Aug. 17 — the real estate industry is poised for an exciting new chapter as the commission lawsuit settlement officially takes effect. On the historic day, Brad Inman offers his thoughts on how the industry can exceed its own expectations under the changes.
The best agents will thrive, the profession will be elevated, rot will be removed and brands built on trust and integrity will rise to the top, Inman writes.
“Fewer corners will be cut and the industry’s tainted reputation will be repaired,” Inman adds. “Substance will trump flash.” READ THE STORY.
6:02 a.m. ET: Five months after the National Association of Realtors agreed to a landmark antitrust settlement, the rules resulting from it go into effect today.
The rules will determine both how agents will get paid, and how consumers search for homes. In the former case, homesellers and their brokers will no longer be able to offer commissions to buyers’ brokers within NAR-affiliated multiple listing services.
In the latter, buyers will need to ink an agreement with their broker before touring a home. Other rules require brokers to disclose that commissions are negotiable and bar MLSs from helping seller agents make offers of compensation via non-MLS mechanisms. READ THE STORY.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
4:07 p.m. ET: A BRAVE NEW WORLD: The weekend marks the deadline when NAR’s new commission settlement rules go into effect. The deadline has prompted a race to the finish line as multiple listing services update forms and issue stern warnings, while NAR scrambles to educate the public. Meanwhile, industry leaders are spending significant energy assuaging concerns while agents debate the impacts in online forums.
To understand what’s happening, Inman reached out to key players and agents across the U.S. Two takeaways from these conversations emerged: First, multiple listing services — which are tasked with actually implementing the new rules — have already been rolling out changes. And the apocalypse has not arrived.
But second, some in the trenches say confusion still abounds. As a result, real estate practitioners need to exercise caution. READ THE STORY. —Andrea V. Brambila, Taylor Anderson, Lillian Dickerson and Jim Dalrymple II
by Inman Content Studio | Aug 7, 2024 | Industry, News Feed
Choose not to be offended. Have conflict resolution strategies in place. Stay calm, acknowledge the difference in opinions, and move on to other topics, Keller Williams’ Julia Lashay Israel writes.
Inman Connect is moving from Las Vegas to San Diego in 2025 and it’ll be bigger, better and bolder than ever before. Join us for Inman Connect San Diego on July 30-Aug. 1, 2025 with the brightest minds in real estate to shape the future of the industry. Reserve your spot today for an exclusive discount.
For real estate agents, discussing politics with clients can be a delicate matter. Navigating political discussions with clients requires tact, respect and professionalism. By following these guidelines, you can maintain positive client relationships while avoiding potential pitfalls associated with political conversations.
Here are some key points to consider:
1. Know your audience
Some clients enjoy and want to engage in political discussions, while others may prefer to avoid them entirely. If a client brings up politics, listen respectfully. Recognize that clients come from diverse backgrounds and may have differing political views.
If their opinions differ from yours, come from curiosity and actively listen to the client’s views without immediately responding with your own opinions. If you initiate the conversation, pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues to assess if the client is comfortable with the topic.
Consider the nature of your relationship with the client. Long-standing relationships might have more leeway, while newer or more formal relationships may require greater caution.
2. Focus on the business relationship
Engaging in political conversations could be risky. Establishing trust is crucial in real estate. Political discussions can be polarizing and may undermine the trust you’ve built. It’s often best to focus on building relationships through shared interests and goals rather than political affiliations. Emphasize non-political topics that are relevant to your relationship or work together.
Be sure to keep the client’s priorities at the forefront. Concentrate on helping them achieve their real estate goals, whether buying, selling or investing and keep conversations focused on the client’s needs, property details, market conditions and other real estate-related topics.
3. Consider relevance to real estate
Ensure that any political discussion is relevant to the client’s interests or the nature of your professional relationship. For instance, discussing policy changes that directly impact the client’s buying or selling decisions could be appropriate.
When discussing policies that directly impact real estate (property taxes, zoning laws, housing regulations), stick to the facts and discuss broader economic factors (interest rates, market trends) in a neutral manner. Provide insights on how these policies might affect the market. Provide objective, fact-based information relevant to the real estate market without injecting personal political opinions.
4. Lead with respect and professionalism
Always be respectful and professional. Show respect for differing opinions. Acknowledge the client’s perspective, even if you don’t agree. Avoid contentious debates or making derogatory comments about any political figures or parties.
Be aware of your company’s policies regarding political discussions. Many real estate firms have guidelines to ensure agents maintain a neutral and professional demeanor.
5. Avoid controversy
Expressing strong opinions can lead to discomfort or conflict. Set clear boundaries for what topics are appropriate. Avoid discussing highly controversial or polarizing political topics that could create tension. If you choose to discuss politics, it’s generally best to maintain a neutral stance to avoid alienating or offending your client, especially if you’re unsure if the client may have differing views.
Be prepared to agree to disagree. Not every conversation needs a resolution, and maintaining a professional relationship is more important. If a disagreement arises, choose not to be offended and have strategies in place for conflict resolution. Stay calm, acknowledge the difference in opinions, and move on to other topics.
If the conversation starts to become too intense or uncomfortable, politely redirect the conversation to a more neutral topic, such as shared interests or business-related matters.
For example, “I appreciate your perspective. Let’s focus on finding the perfect home for you.”
For real estate agents, discussing politics with clients should be approached with caution and professionalism. Keeping conversations focused on real estate, maintaining neutrality and respecting client boundaries can help preserve and strengthen client relationships.
Your primary goal should always be to serve the client’s real estate needs and ensure a positive and successful transaction experience. By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate political discussions with clients in a way that maintains professionalism and respect.
As the head of inclusion and belonging for Keller Williams Realty International, Julia Lashay Israel advises, trains and coaches leaders, team members and agents to recognize and address diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities and challenges across the organization.
by Inman Content Studio | Jul 31, 2024 | Industry, News Feed
CHICAGO (August 1, 2024) – The National Association of Realtors® today announced the roster of its 2025 Leadership Academy class. Twenty Realtors® from across the country have been chosen to participate in the 10-month program, which will prepare emerging state and local volunteers for future leadership positions at NAR.
“The Leadership Academy develops and prepares upcoming leaders to help shape the real estate landscape at the local, state and national levels,” said 2024 NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts. “The diverse backgrounds and qualifications of this class are evidence of NAR’s commitment to inclusive growth, representation and professional development.”
The 20 Realtors® selected will participate in a diverse range of educational experiences as they join a nationwide community of volunteer leaders. During the 10-month journey, participants will learn the history, structure and inner workings of NAR while gaining key insights designed to prepare them to serve in prominent leadership positions at all levels of the association.
The 2025 NAR Leadership Academy roster is as follows:
- James Britto, California
- Nakia Brooks, Georgia
- Donna Cade, Georgia
- Omar Capellan, Florida
- William Curtis, Texas
- Esteban Flores, Texas
- Jennifer Flynn, New York
- Danielle Fontes, California
- Jennifer Higgins, California
- Jessica Kish, Indiana
- Betsy Laughlin, Colorado
- Caron Ling, Hawaii
- Tyson Lynch, Massachusetts
- Heather Mull, Virginia
- Lee Porter, Minnesota
- Jennifer Swendiman, Kentucky
- Jenni Viger, Georgia
- Tiea Vincent, Florida
- Kara Wisely, Florida
- Soo Yu, New Jersey
The program will begin in January 2025 and culminate in November 2025 at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience in Houston, Texas. For more information about NAR’s Leadership Academy, including individual session summaries and resources for prospective 2026 applicants, visit nar.realtor/leadershipacademy. The application period for the 2026 class runs from November 4, 2024, through February 13, 2025.
About the National Association of Realtors®
The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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by Inman Content Studio | Jul 30, 2024 | Industry, News Feed
HAPPENING NOW! At Inman Connect Las Vegas, July 30-Aug. 1, 2024, the noise and misinformation will be banished, all your big questions will be answered, and new business opportunities will be revealed. JOIN US VIRTUALLY.
Nearly a week after Move and CoStar Group filed competing expedited requests in a theft of trade secrets lawsuit, California District Judge George H. Wu ruled in favor of CoStar’s request for an expedited discovery. Judge Wu ordered both parties’ counsels to meet and outline the terms of the discovery. If they cannot agree on those terms, they must file a joint brief explaining the unresolved issues by Aug. 5.
“We are delighted that the Court rejected Move’s attempt to obtain an injunction without discovery and granted CoStar’s request for discovery from Move and for a hearing in September,” CoStar General Counsel Gene Boxer said in an emailed statement to Inman. “We have said all along that Move’s case is a PR stunt, and Move’s attempt to hide the facts was in line with that. We look forward to holding Move to account.”
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Although Judge Wu ruled in favor of CoStar’s request, a Realtor.com spokesperson said the company doesn’t see the ruling as a loss since the company’s request for a preliminary injunction and limited expedited discovery are still on the table. In his one-page ruling, Wu moved the hearing for the injunction and limited expedited discovery to Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m.
“The latest filings have only bolstered our case,” the spokesperson said in an email to Inman. “CoStar’s employee has admitted under oath to accessing and deleting many of Move’s electronic files, confirming our allegations.”
“Although CoStar initially denied any wrongdoing, they have put their employee on leave,” they added. “Today, the judge acknowledged CoStar’s conduct appears to have been improper, and we couldn’t agree more.”
Judge Wu’s ruling is the first major step in the lawsuit between Move and CoStar, which have been locked in an intensifying battle over the past year regarding CoStar’s website traffic claims for its residential portal, Homes.com.
Move escalated its efforts against CoStar on July 3 with a theft of trade secrets lawsuit that claimed former Realtor.com editor James Kaminsky accessed Move-owned files outlining core information about Realtor.com’s News & Insights editorial budget, audience and revenue numbers, alongside employment summaries for several Move employees, to bolster CoStar’s traffic growth efforts.
Since then, Move has made several requests, including a preliminary injunction to block Kaminsky and CoStar’s alleged access to Move-owned files, a limited expedited forensic discovery of Kaminsky’s electronic devices (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, cell phone), and an expedited Order of Protection request to prevent the disclosure of confidential and trade secret information during the discovery process.
CoStar answered back with a few filings of its own, including the request for an expedited discovery and the rescheduling of the preliminary injunction hearing. CoStar said the expedited discovery — which was granted on Monday — would allow both parties to access unredacted versions of previous filings and accompanying exhibits so each side can submit a “more fulsome briefing” ahead of the preliminary injunction hearing.
They also put Kaminsky on administrative leave “out of an abundance of caution” to relieve Move’s concerns about providing unredacted files during the discovery process.
Kaminsky spoke out for the first time on July 25 through a 36-page statement, which outlined his recollection of events and stated support for CoStar’s filings. In the statement, Kaminsky said his layoff from Move was “surprising” and put him in a six-month scramble to find a new job before his severance ran out.
The former Realtor.com editor said he deleted “financial, personal and medical information” from his Move-owned devices and email account and only accessed several Move-owned files that included his team’s salary and bonuses, an ongoing list of Realtor.com News & Insights stories, a “2022 or 2023” presentation on audience and revenue projections, and two other files with passwords to third-party subscriptions, WordPress instructions, and staff contact numbers.
These files, he said, didn’t include any proprietary information and were only used to “jog his memory” about his achievements at Move during his job search. He said he only accessed files two times after starting his position with CoStar on March 11 — once when he searched through old Move emails for paystub information and realized Move hadn’t removed his personal email address from those files and then again when he accidentally clicked on a document titled “News & Insights content decks.” The link, and several others, was dead, he said.
“I have not engaged in any work at CoStar that competes with Move’s News & Insights group, nor have I assisted anyone at CoStar in doing so,” the statement read. “I am currently on administrative leave. I have no access to CoStar’s computer system and am doing no work for CoStar other than assisting with the response to Move’s lawsuit.”
Kaminsky’s lead counsel, Brown Neri Smith & Khan LLP Managing Partner Ethan J. Brown, said he’s pleased with the court’s decision, saying it’s clear that his client is “being used by Move as a pawn to attack CoStar.”
“Given his personal circumstances—he was let go by Move after years of exemplary and highly successful service while being the sole breadwinner of his family of four—Move’s decision to smear Mr. Kaminsky is inexcusable,” he said in an emailed statement. “… Mr. Kaminsky is a sacrificial lamb, treated as mere collateral damage in Move’s attempt to hit back at a competitor.”
“If Move has any real concerns regarding Mr. Kaminsky’s actions they would have quickly been resolved if they had just picked up the phone and called him to discuss what he did and why he did it,” he added. “Move and its CEO are directly responsible for the significant personal and reputational damage they have caused Mr. Kaminsky, who has a spotless, decades-long career of high-level media positions, through the pursuit of this unnecessary legal action.”
Email Marian McPherson
